Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is rumoured to be making a last-ditch attempt to sign a new goalkeeper before the
transfer window closes, with Asmir Begovic the subject of a late bid after Mark Schwarzer was told he is staying at Fulham.

Asmir Begovic could leave Stoke City for Arsenal before the end of the day

Wenger has so far been thwarted in his efforts to bring a new goalkeeper to the Emirates Stadium, with Schwarzer and Manchester City’s Shay Given both apparently staying at their respective clubs.

However, the Frenchman is not prepared to give up in his search for a new shot-stopper just yet – and, according to reports, he is turning his attention to Stoke City’s wantaway goalkeeper Begovic, whose proposed move to Chelsea collapsed last week.

The Bosnian international, 23, would not be considered an automatic first choice ahead of Manuel Almunia .

But having enjoyed good form for Stoke since signing from Portsmouth, Begovic could move up the pecking order quickly if he can prove his ability to cope with the pressure of first-team football at the Gunners.

Almunia is widely expected to move elsewhere next summer after losing the confidence of Wenger after some of his performances last season.

However, the Spaniard could be forced to look at his options as soon as Christmas if he finds himself behind Begovic, who is the same age as Manchester City starter Joe Hart, by then.

Begovic is rumoured to have been looking to engineer a move away from the Britannia Stadium for some time, with manager Tony Pulis claiming last week the young goalkeeper was ‘on strike’ and refusing to play for the club amid interest from Chelsea.